Chain Necklaces
1940s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Byzantine Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Byzantine Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1980s North American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Greek Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Pakistani Medieval Chain Necklaces
1990s French Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier American Byzantine Antique Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Bronze, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Byzantine Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
2010s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Vermeil, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
Early 2000s European Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Retro Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Vermeil
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Peridot, Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Dutch Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Coral, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Medieval Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
Vintage Chain Necklaces
Vintage chain necklaces can make a statement on their own. What’s better than eye-catching chains of yellow gold or subtle silver to accessorize with everything from a designer evening dress to a comfortable sweatshirt?
Personal ornament in general has been around for eons. Ancient Egyptians designed jewelry and wore necklaces, rings and other accessories, and the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber in 1922 had the greatest impact on Art Deco jewelry. When chain necklaces first took on some visibility in ancient civilizations, these items weren’t exactly democratic.
Chain necklaces were accessories that were relegated strictly to royal families and the upper class. In ancient times, pendant necklaces conferred prestige, for example. Wealthy Greeks and Romans opted for gold and silver necklaces that featured ornate pendants and semiprecious stones. By the Renaissance period, the pendant had replaced the brooch as the most worn type of jewelry. Pendant necklaces were commonplace, or pendants were simply strung on long gold chains.
Thankfully, jewelry became more accessible over time. And trends have come and gone, but the popularity of chain necklaces today owes in part to hip-hop culture. Big, chunky gold chains and diamond necklaces were the order of the day in publicity shoots and on album covers for rappers in the early 1980s onward, and a gold chain is still a mainstay in the ever-evolving and broadening hip-hop culture as we know it.
In our modern era, a number of chain-link necklaces are trending, worn alone or layered. The stylish links that have passed the test of time include oval links, paper-clip chains and more. The best way to discover your perfect fit is to zero in on a particular name and type of link.
While it was once key to accessorizing for a formal event, a vintage chain necklace now adds a fresh dynamic to any outfit at any time of day. Find yours on 1stDibs.